Claims of underhand tactics levelled at Connacht in wake of Ellis Park win
Connacht coach Andy Friend was the picture of innocence, claiming in his post-match media briefing that every injury stoppage was legitimate.
However, the Lions’ coaching staff and players were frustrated with what they felt were ‘clear and obvious’ delaying tactics to minimise the impact of altitude.
Connacht became only the second Northern Hemisphere team to win in South Africa in the United Rugby Championship this season, after a late penalty by flyhalf Jack Carty sealed a hard-earned 33-30 win over the Lions at Ellis Park.
The Lions, the only South African team to taste defeat in Round 16, were made to pay for a slow start and unnecessary errors – allowing Connacht to record their third victory over South African opposition in the URC this season.
Their other two victories were both at The Sportsground in Galway – against the Stormers (19-17) and the Bulls (34-7).
The Lions were not amused by the Irish province’s tactics at Ellis Park at the weekend – with a multitude of injury stoppages before set pieces and lengthy conferences before every line-out turning the game in a drawn-out stop-start affair.
Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen felt there was a clear theme in the Irish team’s tactics, slowing down play at every set piece.
“They got away with it,” Van Rooyen told a post-match media debrief.
“I felt there were a couple of times when the game could have continued,” he said, adding: “Obviously if it is a front row [forward] the scrum can’t continue.
“However, if it is a general forward – on their ball or our ball – the game should probably continue.”
He admitted they got “quite excited” in the coaching box about the obvious delaying tactics, because the stop-start nature of the game suited the Irish side at the 1,750-metre (5742 feet) altitude of Ellis Park.
“We wanted to build pressure and maintain that pressure,” the Lions coach said, adding that his own team’s error count also allowed the visitors additional “rest”.
Connacht coach Andy Friend was adamant the ‘injuries’ were all genuine and not part of some elaborate scheme to slow the game down.
“We had two HIAs [head injuries],” he said, adding that one player returned to the playing field and another failed his sideline head injury assessment.
“One of our loosehead props copped a knock to his eye in the warm-up and his eye closed over.
“We had our battles out there to keep 15 fit players on the park and it was more coming our of our forwards.”
He described it as part of the game.
“It is a physical game, as you know,” Friend told @rugby365com. “Sometimes you pick up injuries and we had a few in this game.”
Star flank Cian Prendergast admitted altitude was a factor, but praised his teammates for “staying in the fight” and having the “last burst to win the game”.
The Lions coach said it is something they will address in their ‘review meeting’, while they will again touch on the subject during their ‘preview meeting’ with match officials on a Thursday.
Van Rooyen said New Zealand and Australian teams used similar tactics during Super Rugby – manipulating the ‘time off’ period around set-pieces.
“It is a clear tactic coming here [to Ellis Park],” he said, adding: “I can’t go against a medical doctor, but when you see two or three [players] falling down simultaneously you will always ask questions.
“If they get away with it and match officials allow it, then kudos to them.
“In our review process, we will look at that and get feedback and share the feedback with the team – learn from it and be better prepared.”
Lions skipper Burger Odendaal admitted the delaying tactics “frustrated” him, while the referee’s constant warnings to both teams never resulted in any action.
“They got under our skins as well,” Odendaal said, adding: “Our disciplinary record in the competition has been good, but in this match, our discipline let us down.
“However, I felt there were no consequences for them [their tactics] and one or two calls that may have gone our way.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
24 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments